Author: Christopher Harrison

Stellantis announced on Friday that Tim Kuniskis, CEO of the Dodge and Ram brands, will retire after nearly 32 years with the automaker and its predecessors. Kuniskis, known for leading Dodge and being instrumental in the development of high-performance Hellcat models, has been a key figure in the automotive industry. During his tenure, Kuniskis guided Dodge to reestablish itself as a quintessential American muscle car brand. Under his leadership, Dodge introduced iconic vehicles such as the Challenger and Charger Hellcat models, which boasted over 700 horsepower, as well as the controversial Challenger Demon drag race cars. Kuniskis will be succeeded…

Gatik, an autonomous driving company, has entered into a strategic partnership with Isuzu Motors to accelerate the mass production of self-driving trucks. Under the agreement, the Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer will invest $30 million into the California-based firm. The collaboration aims to establish a dedicated facility for producing trucks with Level 4 autonomy, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers. These vehicles will operate without human input in specific geographic areas, functioning on a “Freight Only” basis. Operations at the new facility, whose location is yet to be determined, are expected to commence in 2027. Gatik and Isuzu have…

After Chevrolet announced the retirement of the sixth-generation Camaro at the end of the 2024 model year, officials assured enthusiasts that this wasn’t the end of the iconic nameplate. Now, as details of the Camaro’s future emerge, GM President Mark Reuss has hinted at an electrified comeback for the beloved muscle car. Speaking to MotorTrend, Reuss expressed a desire for the Camaro to “return to its roots” as an affordable vehicle with broad appeal. He suggested that the next-generation Camaro could be an electric vehicle (EV), potentially with a base price similar to the $34,995 starting price of the Equinox…

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a visit to China, criticized U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, labeling them as examples of unfair competition. Putin’s remarks came as he sought to deepen the relationship between Russia and China, the two most powerful rivals of the United States. Putin stated, “Unfortunately, the way the world works today, sometimes situations arise related to unfair competition. This is how the Americans recently imposed sanctions on China on electric transport, on electric cars,” adding, “Why? Because Chinese cars have got better.” The comments from Putin follow Washington’s decision to increase tariffs on $18 billion worth…

Car buyers in the United States eyeing the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 could be in for substantial savings, thanks to enticing discounts available for the all-electric SUV. Shoppers considering a lease on the 2023 ID.4 are set to benefit from a $7,500 lease incentive, mirroring the federal EV tax credit of the same amount applicable to qualifying EV purchases in the U.S. Since May 1, Volkswagen has sweetened the deal with a Customer Bonus on the ID.4, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the trim level. For the base ID.4, customers can enjoy savings of up to $12,500 by combining…

Tesla has reportedly transferred responsibility for its Supercharger charging network to its team overseeing the solar and battery storage business, following a tumultuous period of layoffs and reorganization within the company. The move comes after Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Supercharger team, leading to the dismissal of former Supercharger boss Rebecca Tinucci and her entire 500-member team. According to a recent Reuters report, Tinucci had initially laid off around 15 to 20 percent of her team at the request of management, but Musk was not satisfied and demanded further staff cuts. When Tinucci expressed…

General Motors and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution, along with LG Electronics, have agreed to establish a $150 million fund to provide relief to Chevrolet Bolt EV owners affected by defective batteries, according to documents filed in a U.S. court on Thursday. General Motors, which first launched the Chevrolet Bolt EV in 2015, utilized batteries supplied by LG entities under a business arrangement. In 2020, General Motors began issuing recalls following numerous complaints about fires in some vehicles. “General Motors, LG Energy Solution, and LG Electronics have agreed to a settlement with plaintiffs to resolve class action litigation related to…

Eli Electric Vehicles has announced the opening of reservations for its Eli Zero micro-electric vehicle (EV) in the United States, priced at $11,990. The company, already successful in Europe and French Polynesia, where hundreds of vehicles are in use for various purposes, is now targeting the US market with its street-legal micro-EV. The Eli Zero, measuring 4.5 feet wide and 7.4 feet in length, is designed to comfortably seat two people. It boasts a range of up to 90 miles and comes equipped with features like keyless entry and start, power-assisted steering, ABS, radar parking sensors, and a rear-view camera.…

Tesla has raised the price of its Model 3 Performance by $1,000, bringing the new cost to $54,990 as of Thursday night. This marks the second price increase since the vehicle’s launch on April 23, when it was initially listed at $52,990. The Model 3 Performance, known for its top speed of 163 MPH and an impressive 0-60 MPH acceleration time of just 2.9 seconds, had its price first adjusted to $53,990 shortly after its release. Tesla’s tendency to make spontaneous price adjustments has been evident once again with this latest increase. In addition to the price hike on the…

Tesla received a boost in Germany on Thursday when the local council in Grünheide voted in favor of the electric vehicle maker’s plans to expand its Gigafactory in the region. The vote tally showed eleven councilors supporting the expansion, while six voted against it and two abstained. The Austin-based company faces several hurdles before commencing the expansion project, which includes a train station and new roads aimed at reducing heavy truck traffic in the area. Tesla had to revise its original plan in response to local criticism. Despite these challenges, Tesla maintains a long-term goal to double the site’s capacity…

China’s leading electric car maker, BYD, achieved a new year-to-date EV sales record last week in its home country, signaling strong momentum that is expected to continue with the rollout of new EVs in key segments globally. Recent data from Morgan Stanley, reported by Investing.com, indicates that electric vehicles surpassed their gas-powered counterparts last week, rebounding from a recent holiday lull in China. Domestic brands, including BYD, Li Auto, and NIO, saw significant week-over-week (WOW) sales improvements, with BYD leading the pack with a 30% increase to 69,500 registrations. BYD’s impressive sales performance extends beyond the recent week, with 101,300…

Nio announced plans to introduce a new model annually under its budget-friendly Onvo brand. The company aims to align Onvo’s pricing with that of traditional gasoline vehicles, a strategic move to penetrate the competitive Chinese auto market. Nio’s latest unveiling, the Onvo L60 SUV, comes with a price tag starting from 219,900 yuan ($30,476), positioning it 12% below Tesla’s Model Y, which starts at 249,900 yuan in China. According to Nio, the next Onvo model will target larger families, with the company anticipating a positive impact on overall profitability once monthly sales reach 20,000 units. Nio’s CEO, William Li, noted…